The lobbying on behalf of the next Fed chairman has been intense, revealing a sharp cleavage among liberal Democrats. Summers is viewed as one of the top contenders along with Fed Vice Chairman Jane Yellen.

Sunstein argues that Summers is not “anti-regulatory and reflexively pro-business,” as many of his more liberal critics believe. (Republicans would be clamoring, or least silently praying, for Summers if that were true.)

Au contraire, Sunstein says. Summers is a firm believer in tougher financial regulation and a person who would do his utmost as Fed chairman to drive down unemployment.

As for Summers reputation as being difficult, Sunstein says it’s not really true.

“He is one of the best colleagues one could imagine. True, he’s not exactly a charmer. He’s a natural debater, and he can be tough, and he likes to start a conversation by telling you that you are dead wrong.”